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Get in touch: media@vwt.org.au
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“Harms are cascading” Victorian Women’s Trust maps 20 gendered harms as Australia’s AI regulation lags
Beyond the algorithm: Why we’re launching a Feminist Researcher in Residence program
Media
AI's gendered harms and case for a feminist AI future
Dr Elise Stephenson, Victorian Women’s Trust inaugural Feminist Researcher in Residence 2026, joins Angela Priestley from the Women’s Agenda podcast to unpack the gendered risks of AI, and why they’re so urgent right now.
Spokespeople
Our team is available to comment on a wide range of issues impacting women, girls and gender diverse people in Australia.
Dr Kirsten Abernethy
Executive Director
Dr. Kirsten Abernethy is a social scientist, researcher and educator with over 20 years’ experience working with coastal and seafaring communities across Australia, the UK, and the Pacific. Her work is grounded in feminist values, and her research and advocacy has been centred upon worker’s rights, looking deeply at the experiences of women, a demographic often underrepresented. Kirsten has led major research and sector-wide programs focused on women’s leadership, workplace inclusion and systemic reform. In 2017, she won the VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award. In 2025 was appointed Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust.
Nicky Friedman
Chair
Nicky is the Director of Community Engagement at the law firm, Allens. Nicky is focused on leveraging the resources of the private legal profession to enable disadvantaged people to gain greater access to justice. Nicky has a background in social justice work and law. She has a long term association with the VWT, having been a volunteer and an employee before joining the board.
Leena van Deventer
Deputy Chair
Leena van Deventer is an award-winning writer, game developer, and educator. She has taught interactive storytelling at both RMIT and Swinburne University. In 2016, Leena published her first book Game Changers: From Minecraft to Misogyny, the fight for the future of video games with Dr Dan Golding (Affirm Press).
Richa George
Grants and Community Impact Manager
Richa George is a sociologist, researcher and incurably curious person. Her career has spanned engineering, operations, international development and academia. She brings a dedicated research lens to gender equality, philanthropy and community building.
Ava Wansbrough
Youth Engagement and Volunteer Coordinator
Ava Wansbrough uplifts the voices of young feminists. With a background in Gender Studies, Ava joined the Victorian Women’s Trust team as a volunteer herself, and is passionate about creating meaningful experiences for volunteers and interns. Ava also curates feminist youth platform Rosie, and facilitates the Rosie Collective, supporting young women and gender diverse people to advocate for their rights.
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Everything we are, and have done across more than 40 years, has been built with a dedicated community of supporters who believe gender equality is essential to our humanity.
